14 Ways Honey Can Heal

By Vasant Lad, Yoga+

The fossil record tells us honeybees have been around for 150 million years or more. No one knows when we discovered the treasure hidden in their hives, but paintings of beekeepers lining the walls of a cave in Spain prove that we have been practicing the art of beekeeping for at least 7,000 years. Honey is versatile. It has been prized as a sweetener, as medicine, as an offering for the gods, as currency, and as a symbol of love. In Greek mythology, for example, Cupid dips his arrows in honey before aiming them at our hearts.

According to ayurveda, honey is the nectar of life. Because it is created from the essence of a flower’s sex organs, it has a natural affinity with reproductive tissue. It can also heal sore throats, colds, coughs, ulcers, burns, and wounds. And when ingested with a healing herb (like ashwagandha), honey travels to the deepest tissues, transporting the chemical properties and the subtle energies of medicine to the cellular level.

Ayurveda says that raw honey is medicine, but cooked honey is a slow poison. Why? In its natural form, honey is rich in minerals, vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, and carbohydrates. But heat strips honey of most of its nutritional value and transforms the honey molecules into a non-homogenized glue that adheres to mucous membranes and clogs subtle energy channels. Cooked honey creates cellular toxicity and may lead to immunological dysfunction. It can also clog the arteries and lead to atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries), hampering blood flow to the vital organs. So as a general rule, honey should never be cooked, and nothing should be cooked with honey. Instead, add raw honey to yogurt, warm tea, or spread it on bread or toast.

These days, most honey sold commercially has been heated and should be avoided. Look for the words “raw” or “unpasteurized” on honey at a health-food store or online at places like the Ayurvedic Institute (www.ayurveda.com) or www.eBeeHoney.com. But the purest form of honey is local and raw because it helps prevent (or calm) seasonal allergies and is full of prana (vital energy). Check your local farmers’ market, and if you live in the country, keep an eye out for roadside honey stands.

Honey, Help Me!
Ayurvedic texts are full of honey-based remedies for a wide range of ailments.

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LMj S.

8:45PM PDT on May 22, 2013

Thank you for sharing.

May 22
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8:44PM PDT on May 22, 2013

Terry V.

2:46PM PDT on May 8, 2013

thanks

May 8
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Duane B.

7:12AM PDT on May 5, 2013

May 5
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Beverly M.

2:59PM PDT on Mar 25, 2013

As a kid I had a serious acne problem and finally got rid of it using honey. My son had surgery a couple of years ago and thanks to honey he has no visible scar. I truly believe in the magic honey has, especially Manuka honey.

March 25
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Loo S.

6:26AM PST on Mar 2, 2013

March 2
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Mary L.

6:49PM PST on Jan 27, 2013

There were some uses for honey that were new to me. Thank you for the posting. I always keep honey on hand. My husband likes it in the comb.

January 27
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Melissa L.

2:17PM PST on Jan 27, 2013

Great info!

Sue H.

2:14PM PST on Jan 26, 2013

I am not an expert, but the guess I have on how raw honey is the best - but then why can you put it into a hot drink question is... the hot drink does not cook the honey and does not pasteurize it... not hot enough to change the honey... just my guess.

January 26
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2:10PM PST on Jan 26, 2013

Great healing information about honey. Raw is the one that works for healing, must remember that one. Also, everyone do everything you can to protest our bees. Like fighting GMO's and other pesticides - plant flowers that attract them and help the bees in general!!